TYPES OF MAGAZINE ARTICLES
Any attempt to classify all of the forms of magazine
articles would probably prove to be inadequate.
However, certain characteristics do tend to identify
seven general categories. These categories frequently
overlap, and the dividing lines that separate them often
become blurred. Even so, this classification serves as a
starting point for learning to recognize the various types
of magazine articles. This knowledge is necessary
before you can even consider writing for the magazine
industry. For our purposes, there are seven basic types
of magazine articles. They are as follows:
Personality sketch
Personal experience
Confession
Narrative
Utility
Interview
Featurette
Personality Sketch
The personality sketch is a short biography that
includes an individual’s achievements. The “purpose of
an article of this type, whether a success article or a
profile, is to portray the intimate details of character and
personality of someone. The person may be widely
known, one who has achieved some form of greatness
or someone whose life is in some way interesting or
remarkable. The individual does not have to be a famous
show business or political personality; this type of story
could just as well be written about a Navy person.
A Navy jet pilot who adopted an entire orphanage
of Japanese children was the subject of an article of this
kind. Another dealt with a sailor aboard a destroyer who
spent his reenlistment bonus on football equipment so
his shipmates could compete against the crew members
of larger Navy ships. Still other sketches have been
written about Navy scientists, combat heroes, chaplains,
test pilots and athletes.
Personal Experience
Unusual adventures, unique accomplishments, rare
travel experiences and countless other personal
experiences lend themselves to treatment in this type of
article.
“My 60 Days Under the Sea in an Atomic
Submarine,” “I Fly With the Blue Angels” and “I
Walked on the Moon” are typical titles of personal
experience articles.
Thousands of Navy men and women have had
exciting personal experiences they might have
developed into good magazine articles. Quite often,
however, they do not have the ability, the time or the
inclination to write these experiences on paper.
Nevertheless, they usually will talk about their
experiences which can provide a good story opportunist y
for a journalist in search of ideas.
When you write this type of article, use the “as told
to...” byline. You should also use caution when writing
in the first person. The frequent use of “I” can become,
or appear, egotistical.
Confession
The confession article is not necessarily a “shocker”
or scandal story. Instead, it is an “inside story” of
conditions or problems normally unfamiliar to the
average reader. The confession article often involves
handicaps or disadvantages that are overcome by
determination and common sense.
Incidents related in confession articles are often
typical of everyday life. A spoiled, rich kid learns
discipline and responsibility aboard a Navy destroyer. A
midshipman’s determination to overcome a speech
defect saves his Navy career. A young man cures a
morbid fear of water by joining the Navy. Subjects like
these have been used in confession articles. The most
noticeable characteristic of the confession story is the
intimate, confidential tone in which the writer seems to
be personally revealing a secret to the reader. Although
the subject matter is personal, it must evoke an emphatic
response from the reader.
Humor should not be overlooked in this type of
article. An individual’s willingness to tell the story
shows that he or she is not ashamed. If humor can be
injected into the account, it indicates an objective
approach.
Some subjects are best when given a humorous
treatment. Many interesting articles about common
phobias, such as a visit to the dentist, have been written
that way. This approach often helps readers to see that
most of the fear is unfounded. If the humor is skillfully
handled, the readers will probably be amused.
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